CAMA'S POSITIONING ON STRONG MAYOR LEGISLATION & THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
In July 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the intention to provide heads of Council in Toronto and Ottawa with “Strong Mayor” powers such as the ability to veto Council decisions, prepare the budget, enact legislation with less than majority of Council support, and appoint and remove high-ranking staff members including the CAO. This legislation provides new authorities to the Mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, and the Premier indicated it could be extended to other Cities. While the CAO position may be maintained under Strong Mayor Legislation, the staff organization now effectively reports to the Mayor, rather than to the CAO and Council.
Recognizing the importance of the role and significance of the Chief Administrative Officer position in Canadian Municipal Government, CAMA prepared a “White Paper” on Ontario’s Strong Mayor Legislation and the Pivotal Role of the CAO in Providing Good Governance. For more information view the Press Release and the White Paper.
CAMA hopes that this paper will become a valuable resource to support our members, their staff, and their Councils. It can also be used a reference point for researchers and writers who are addressing Strong Mayor Legislation in policies, journals, and opinion papers on municipal reform.
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EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS ON APRIL 1ST, 2023 FOR 2023 CAMA CONFERENCE
Registrations are still being accepted until May 15th, 2023 for CAMA's 49th Annual Conference being held in Huntsville, Ontario from May 29-31, 2023 at the Deerhurst Resort. The early bird rate is only available for four more days until April 1, 2023 so don't delay!
There is still space in the Monday Pre-Conference activities, however the Muskoka's Microbrewery Study Tour and the Chasing Waterfalls & Treats Study Tour on the Wednesday are SOLD OUT.
To view the full 2023 Conference Program click here. All other information can be found on the Conference website. This week's "Speaker Spotlight" is Patricia Vinchesi, who will be participating in one of our Breakout Sessions:
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Patricia Vinchesi
ICMA's Northeast Regional Director
“Practical Supervisory and Personnel Practices in Small Communities"
A manager in a small community is a jack-of-all-trades and mistress of none. How do you ensure that with so many balls in the air you are addressing the critical aspects of personnel administration as it relates to policies, compliance, performance, discipline, and professional development? How do you develop collaboration and partnerships across departments when you may not have direct supervisory authority over them, or long-term department heads are reluctant to embrace change or still prefer to go to the elected? Are the approaches different when there is less staff and everyone knows everyone else’s business?
Learning Objectives:
-Identify the key areas of personnel administration that should not be ignored no matter how small the community or lack of resources.
-Understand how to approach thorny personnel issues and a thorough process for working through conflict and/or discipline.
-Navigate supervisory issues from both reluctant supervisors, those who report to the manager, and tips for dealing with micromanaging appointing authorities.
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CAMA TO LAUNCH NEW MEMBER RESOURCE THIS WEEK: LEADERSHIP GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE CAO-COUNCIL RELATIONS
Recognizing the importance of building a successful relationship with Council within the Administrator role, CAMA will be launching a “Leadership Guide to Effective CAO-Council Relations”. It can be lonely at the top – but we’re hoping to make it less lonely, through this new member resource. It is a working relationship that requires a constant balancing act. It is very important for the CAO to set up and support Council for a successful term, but in addition to helping elected officials excel in their role, it’s about ensuring that you’re delivering in your role, as CAO, to the best of your abilities, and that you’re priming the organization for success. Watch your inbox this week for this new member resource!
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MEMBER TESTIMONIAL FROM CAMA SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT / BOARD REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALBERTA
TONY KULBISKY
CAMA offers 50% off our already great value membership fees for the first year. Fees are based on the population for the Primary Member, and are currently just $155.00 for any additional members in your municipality. Think of which neighbouring local government leaders would benefit from access to CAMA`s resources or who in your organization is ready for leadership development. They can click here for the on-line registration link and also hear what CAMA Second Vice-President Tony Kulbisky has to say below.
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CAMA ACTIVITIES AND DEADLINES | |
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FREE Virtual National Forum - March 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. EST Hosted by Canoe Benefits. Register for the "Staying Ahead of the Curve - Trends and Strategies for Effective Employee Benefit Programs taking place on Thursday, March 31st, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Visit the CAMA website for all details and e-mail admin@camacam.ca to register today for free.
Deadline for Membership Renewals is March 31, 2023. The deadline to renew your CAMA membership for the April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 fiscal year is fast approaching. If you would like to check on your membership status, please contact the CAMA National Office at admin@camacam.ca
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CREATING A "LIFE AT NIGHT" PLAN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY: A THREE-STEP GUIDE
Effective nighttime planning, tailored to both local challenges and opportunities, is key. Most of us are familiar with the adage, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” Traditionally, cities have focused on providing services through a daytime lens because the only activities perceived as happening at night were revelry and mayhem, which traditionally have fallen squarely in the jurisdiction of law enforcement.
Read the Full Article Here
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2022 CAMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE NOMINATIONS | |
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Collaboration Award with External Organizations
Lethbridge County
Malloy Drain Upgrades
Lethbridge County partnered with the Town of Coaldale and St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) for the Malloy Drain Project, which allows for drainage of storm water that accumulates west and south of Coaldale and drains through the Malloy. This project was split into three phases (1, 2A, 2B, 3) with phase one including the rehabilitation and expansion of an SMRID canal at the downstream end. Phase 2A included the construction of a dry pond that provides 75,000 cubic meters of stormwater retention and a 225,000 cubic meter wetland facility that enhances water quality and provides a habitat for wildlife. Phase 2B includes the repurposing of existing water reservoirs and the construction of an additional detention pond that will provide 570,000 cubic meters of stormwater storage, with Phase 3 including further expansion of SMRID canals. To date, Phases 1 and 2A are complete, with 2B in progress.
This project was funded in part through Lethbridge County, the Town of Coaldale and SMRID with a substantial amount of a grant funding from the Province of Alberta.
To view the entire awards submission visit the CAMA Member's Section/Awards of Excellence Best Practices (Search for "Lethbridge County").
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Collaboration Award with External Organizations
Pouch Cove and Memorial University - Adventures in Collaboration
The Town of Pouch Cove has made quite splash in its multi-faceted collaboration efforts with Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes a MITACs project for flood modelling incorporating climate change, a FCM Green Municipal Fund project related to site remediation, a business student consulting project, a series of Civil Engineering Capstone Projects (Firefighter Training Facility, Design of Climate Resilient Infrastructure, Recreation Developments, etc.) and an incredible series of engineering co-op student placements over the past three years.
These collaborations with Memorial University are just a sample of some of the extensive collaborative opportunities being pursued and developed in the Town of Pouch Cove. Former CAO Brian Peach, P.Eng, CAMP is well known for being an active and energetic collaborator in the municipal industry of Newfoundland and Labrador. Under his leadership, the Town of Pouch Cove quickly rising as shining star of excellence for community collaboration in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
To view the entire awards submission visit the CAMA Member's Section/Awards of Excellence Best Practices (Search for "Memorial University").
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WELCOME NEW CAMA MEMBERS
Dwight Dibben, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Forestburg, AB
Mélanie Brisson, Directrice générale, Ville de Sainte-Julie, QC
Chandra Devenyi, Interim Director of Community Services & Recreation, Town of Hampstead, QC
Jeff Olson, General Manager, Service Line Warranties of Canada
Andrew Glasso, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Teulon, MB
Dylan Gamble, Director of Engineering & Operations, City of Fredericton, NB
Heather Stanik, Manager of Administration and Planning, Rural Municipality of St. Clements, MB
Cathy MacMunn, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, Township of Central Frontenac, ON
Adam Thiessen, Manager - Corporate Services, City of Steinbach, MB
Ryan Cronsberry, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Georgina, ON
Rob Wheater, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer, Town of Georgina, ON
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